Support Frame

ABSTRACT

A support frame has tube elements ( 1 ) that are connected to one another by node elements ( 2 ). Both the tube elements ( 1 ) and the node elements ( 2 ) are formed from fiber-reinforced plastic. The tube elements ( 1 ) are connected to the node elements ( 2 ) by material bonding.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit and priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2011 101 454.7, filed May 12, 2011. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a support frame and, more particularly, to a support frame with tube elements and node elements connected by material bonding.

BACKGROUND

A tubular support frame is known according to EP 1 607 638 B1. It has tube elements connected to one another via node elements. Both the tube elements and the node elements are formed from fiber-reinforced plastic. The node elements are designed as clamping shells that are screwed together.

A support frame of this type is used (as described in EP 1 607 638 B1), for example, in automobile construction for accommodating clamping devices or the like that hold sheet metal parts together during welding procedures. Since the support frame is fastened on a robot arm and moves with it, its mass needs to be as low as possible with corresponding stiffness.

For the sake of completeness, WO2010/126405 A1 also illustrates a support frame.

SUMMARY

The disclosure improves a support frame of the above mentioned type. In particular, a support frame is provided that is lighter and more reliable.

A support frame comprises tube elements that are connected to one another via node elements. Both the tube elements and the node elements are formed from fiber-reinforced plastic. The tube elements are connected to the node elements by material bonding. Thus, the tube elements are connected to the node elements by material bonding with the connection devoid of bolts.

In other words, in the support frame design according to the disclosure, the tube and node elements are no longer screwed together, but are rather glued together. This measure, which appears absurd per se, has the advantage that screws for connecting the tube and node elements can be eliminated. Additionally, decreasing clamping forces that are observed again and again, may be reliably prevented by gluing. The support frame according to the disclosure, as will be explained in greater detail, has tube and node elements that may be arranged in one plane. This eases or improves the later equipping of the support frame with clamping devices and the like.

Further, the tube elements are connected to the node elements by material bonding. Both parts are glued to one another via a so-called alternately internal or also external connector element.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The support frame, including its advantageous refinements, will be explained in greater detail referring on the illustration in the drawing of a preferred exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support frame including eight tube elements, nine node elements, and eighteen connector elements;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of an example of a tube-tube connection;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a node element for a free end of a tube element;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a node element for an angled connection of two tube elements;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a node element for connecting three tube elements;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a node element for connecting four tube elements;

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view, in partial section, of an attachment area on a node element; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in section, of the installed attachment area according to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The support frame shown in FIG. 1, for accommodating clamping devices and the like, includes tube elements 1 and node elements 2. The tube elements 1 are circular in cross-section. However, other cross-sections may also be considered. The tube elements 1 are connected to one another via the node elements 2. Both the tube elements 1 and the node elements 2 are alternately formed from glass-fiber-reinforced or carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. The node elements 2 are each formed from shells 2.1, 2.2 and are structurally identical half shells.

In the present support frame, it is essential that the tube elements 1 are connected to the node elements 2 by material bonding. Particularly, the bond is by gluing. In addition, the shells 2.1, 2.2 are connected to one another by material bonding. Thus, the tube elements are boltlessly connected to the node element.

Gluing the tube and node elements together results in a support frame that can only be used, thereafter, for its corresponding application purpose. However, this disadvantage is more than compensated for by the fact that the support frame is very light and is simultaneously also permanently very stable. In addition, by eliminating the above-mentioned clamping shells, the result is that all tube elements 1 may be arranged lying in a single plane. This is favorable for the compactness of the support frame (see FIG. 1).

FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate the node element 2 alternately arranged on a free end of the tube element 1 (see FIG. 3) or is connected to at least two tube elements 1 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The tube elements 1 are preferably and alternately arranged in longitudinal extension to one another or at a right angle to one another. Alternatively, (not shown) non-parallel or non-perpendicular arrangements may also be considered, if needed.

A connector element 10 is formed from fiber-reinforced plastic. The connector element 10 is alternately arranged between a tube element 1 and a node element 2, between two tube elements 1, or between two node elements 2. Both the tube element 1 and the node element 2 are glued to the connector element 10. Thus, the tube elements are boltlessly connected to one another.

The shells 2.1, 2.2 connect the tube elements 1 to the node elements 2, etc. Each shell 2.1, 2.2 alternately has at least one receptacle area 3 adapted to the tube element 1 (not shown) or to the connector element 10 (shown). The receptacle area 3 encloses the tube element 1 or the connector element 10 with a precise fit. The receptacle area 3 is cylindrical or cylinder-like and longitudinally slotted. The receptacle area 3 forms an application surface for the adhesive on the tube element 1 side or the connector element side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (only shown indicated by shading in FIG. 1), the glued-in connector element 10, which has a smaller diameter than the tube element 1, forms the connection between two parts, the tube element 1 and the node element 2. For this purpose, the connector elements 10 is connected by material bonding or glued in each case to two parts. In addition, the shells 2.1, 2.2 include mutually touching contact surface areas 9 for the application of adhesive. The design of the support frame is reinforced further by this additional adhesive surface.

Multiple attachment areas 4 for a tool, a clamping device, or the like are provided on the node element 2. FIG. 3 shows a node element having three attachment areas 4. FIGS. 4 to 6 show node elements each having two attachment areas 4. At least one passage opening 5 is provided on each attachment area 4 for receiving a connection element 6. This connection element 6 is a screw. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a total of six passage openings 5, for such connection elements 6, are provided in each case.

The attachment area 4 is part of the node element 2 and thus includes fiber-reinforced plastic like the node element. The attachment area is loaded by a tool or the like. At least one flange element 7 is arranged on the attachment area 4 to improve the stability of this attachment area 4. The flange element 7 includes a metallic material (aluminum, stainless steel, or the like). Flange elements 7, inner and outer flanges, are provided on both sides of the attachment area 4, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The flange elements 7 are connected to one another via at least one connection element 6. The attachment area 4 has a level attachment surface. The flange element 7 lays flat on the attachment surface. Connection elements 8 are arranged on the flange element 7 for fastening the tool or the like. The connecting elements 8 are illustrated as threaded holes 8 in FIG. 7. The flange element 7, both the inner flange and the outer flange, are planar circular rings.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

1. A support frame comprising: tube elements that are connected to one another via node elements, both the tube elements and the node elements are formed from fiber-reinforced plastic; and material bonding connects the tube elements to the node elements.
 2. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein the node elements further comprises shells.
 3. The support frame according to claim 2, wherein the shells are connected to one another by material bonding.
 4. The support frame according to claim 1, further comprising a connector element alternately arranged between one tube element and one node element, between two tube elements, or between two node elements.
 5. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein the node element is arranged on a free end of the tube element or is connected to at least two tube elements.
 6. The support frame according to claim 2, wherein the shells each have at least one receptacle area, alternately adapted to the tube element or to the connector element.
 7. The support frame according to claim 1, further comprising at least one tool attachment area provided on the node element.
 8. The support frame according to claim 7, further comprising at least one connection element passage opening provided on the attachment area.
 9. The support frame according to claim 7, further comprising at least one flange element arranged on the attachment area.
 10. The support frame according claim 9, wherein flange elements are provided on both sides of the attachment area, the flange elements are connected to one another via at least one connection element.
 11. The support frame according to claim 7, wherein the attachment area includes a level attachment surface and the flange element lays flat on the attachment surface.
 12. The support frame according claim 9, further comprising at least one tool fastening connection element is arranged on the flange element.
 13. The support frame according to claim 4, wherein the tube and tube connection is devoid of bolts.
 14. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein the tube and node connection is devoid of bolts. 